Page 67 of All for Love

KODY

The party was in full swing when Mercedes and I walked back in. Well, when I walked back in after standing outside in the cold for ten minutes to give her enough of a head start that no one would think we’d disappeared together.

Christmas music was playing louder now than it had been before, drinks were being topped off, and a few people were taking advantage of the mistletoe hanging from the archways. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, and I was happy for my dad that it was going so well.

But the only thing I could think about was getting the hell out of here and taking Mercedes back to my place. I just wasn’t sure how to do it without anyone noticing, but that kiss had my engine revving and raring to go.

Moreover, I just needed her. Not only her body, but her.

I was plotting my escape and guzzling sparkling water instead of whiskey now. Marissa came up to me and smiled. “Any chance you’re ready to go?”

“Sure am, but why? It’s still early.”

She nodded, but I saw the strain in those pretty blue eyes. “I’m grateful for the invite and the chance to catch up with your dad, but I can’t do any more small talk. It’s been real, but this isn’t my life anymore, and the longer we’re here, the more I’m reminded why not.”

“Are you okay?” I finished the next bottle of water and pushed away from the wall I’d been standing against. “I shouldn’t have left you alone. I’m sorry.”

She waved me off. “I’m actually pretty thankful that you did. It was really nice just being able to talk to people without the great and powerful Kody Wagner next to me. It’s just, uh, been a while since I’ve been to a party like this and it’s freaking exhausting.”

I chuckled. “I know. I’m over it too. Let me just say a few goodbyes and then we’ll get out of here.”

She smiled knowingly. I found myself wondering again why I had brotherly feelings for her instead of my stepsister. It would’ve made things so much easier if I was taking her home for real right now. Even our respective heights made sense together. How’s that for irony?

“Do you want me to be your cover?” She reached out to rest a hand on my forearm, making it look like a much more intimate conversation than it was.

I turned my head so my lips were moving against her hair. “My cover for what?”

“Mercedes is watching us like a hawk. She didn’t say it in so many words, but I know there’s something going on between you two. I don’t mind asking her if she’d like a ride home. You guys can drop me off on the way to your place.”

“I thought you were staying ov—”

“There’s a reason I tossed my overnight bag in the trunk before we left. I only brought it because we were getting ready at your house. No offense, but I’m not staying over either way.”

I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with oxygen. I kept it there for a moment as I considered bringing another person into the fold. For now, Marissa only suspected there was something going on between Mercedes and me, but as soon as I took her up on the offer, it would be official.

That being what it was, she was one of my oldest friends and I trusted her implicitly. “Yeah. Okay. Please?”

“You got it,” she said, then pulled away only a fraction of an inch. Just enough to look into my eyes as she smiled. “You have a lot more potential as a partner and a father than you think, Wagner. I know you’re going to make someone super happy one day. Once you get your head out of your ass.”

I laughed and slid my arm around her waist, keeping her close. “What’s it going to look like if we take her home, though?”

“No one is going to think anything of it. She’s your stepsister and she’s here by herself. Her friend headed home a little while ago. They’ll all assume that you’re being a good brother and offering her a ride before you take me home to make sweet, passionate love to me.”

I smirked and waggled my eyebrows at her. “Sweet, passionate love, huh? What happened to a good fuck?”

“We’re too old to call it that,” she said.

I arched a brow, bringing my nose closer to hers. “Watch who you’re calling old. I’m only in my thirties.”

“And I’m twenty-nine. Who cares? After coming to a party like this together, no one is going to think we’re headed home to fuck. They’re planning our wedding, or haven’t you heard?”

I groaned. “I have, but I was hoping you wouldn’t.”

She giggled and gave me a one-shouldered shrug. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve got big ears. Plus, if I want to be a detective, I need to hone my skills. Make sure I know about everything going on in every room I walk into. Even if people don’t want me to know about it. Especially when they don’t want me to know about it.”

“You’re going to be a brilliant detective.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead and released her to sweep a hand toward the door. “Let’s go.”

Marissa went over to talk to Mercedes. I texted our driver, said my goodbyes to my dad, and told my brother we were headed home. He was all happy about it until he saw Mercedes putting on her coat with Marissa. After shooting me a stern, warning look, he waved goodbye and I led the girls out the door.